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(I Like) The Way You Love Me

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Wikipedia article




"'(I Like) The Way You Love Me'" is a song by American recording artist Michael Jackson included on his posthumous album 'Michael', which was released in South Korea as a digital single on January 18, 2011, and released in Italian radio stations on July 8, 2011. The song previously appeared on 'The Ultimate Collection' (2004) with the title "'The Way You Love Me'" as an unreleased track, with that version also appearing on the French edition of the compilation 'King of Pop'. Shortly before Jacksons death, the song was re-arranged and more vocals were added. A clip of the song was remixed and released on the 2 disc deluxe edition of the 'Immortal' album on November 21, 2011.

Background and release



The song was originally titled "Hanson" (working title) and was written by Michael Jackson. Work on the song began in mid 1998 and the song was considered for the 'Invincible' album, but stayed in demo form, until it was included on Michael's 2004 box set, 'The Ultimate Collection' with the title "The Way You Love Me".

The song, along with several demos from the Invincible sessions, was rearranged in 2008. The new arrangement was produced by Theron "Neff-U" Feemster, as he mentioned, "Michael would express to me the importance of giving the world a gift. Giving them songs that would last forever. This song was released in its early stages of development. He wanted to revisit, nurture, and define the song more because MJ was a perfectionist at everything and nothing is ever done until he is smiling and dancing! It was like watching a flower grow and blossom in the spring."

Composition



In this new version, a phone message was introduced at the beginning in which Jackson explains the composition of the song to longtime collaborator, Brad Buxer, and in which he sang the hook and described the drum arrangement of the track. The song has been re-arranged and more vocals have been added, and the treatment of "(I Like) The Way You Love Me" has created a counter-rhythm from a leftover bit of vocal play.

Compared with the 2004 version, the 2010 mix has different instrumentation, such as having a piano backing instead of a synthesizer. The song's structure is the same but Jackson's lead vocals return as the song fades out.

Reception



The song received generally positive reviews from music critics. Leah Greenblatt of 'Entertainment Weekly' called it a "sweet-toned swoon". Joe Vogel of 'The Huffington Post' stated that the song was a "great new production by Neff-U", and "the new version retains all of the charm of the original while injecting some fresh elements, including new piano, bass, strings, and vocal effects." Jason Lipshutz, Gail Mitchell and Gary Graff from 'Billboard' thought the song is "the simple sketch eventually led to this blissful love song with its layered vocals and gentle percussion". Michael Roffman of 'Consequence of Sound' praised the track's "incredibly rich instrumentation" and called it "probably the greatest highlight of the album" and "one that felt the most natural, too."

Kitty Empire in 'The Observer' said this song was "a breezy bit of froth on which Jackson sounds genuinely carefree". Joe Pareles of the New York Times noted that the new instrumentation compared to the 2004 mix made the "creamy vocal harmonies even more reminiscent of the Beach Boys." Pareles also questioned whether the ending vocals of the song were digitally altered from the original chorus but stated that he preferred the new version, describing it as more "transparent and uncluttered, a little more lighthearted."

Negative review came from Dan Martin of 'NME', he said this song "covers boring mid-tempo R&B territory".

Chart performance



The song was released as the fourth single from the album, 'Michael'. It debuted on the Italian Airplay Chart on July 17, 2011 at number 86. It has not charted in any other major music charts.

Track listing



Personnel



* Written, composed, lead vocal, background vocals and beatbox by Michael Jackson

* Produced by Theron "Neff-U" Feemster and Michael Jackson

* Arrangement by Theron "Neff-U" Feemster

* Piano by Will Champlin

* Background vocals by Michael Durham Prince

* Engineered by Michael Prince, James Murray, Charlie Hanes and Tim Roberts

* Mixed by Serban Ghenea

* Guitar by Erick Donell Walls

* Bass by Thomas Drayton

* Drums by Joe Corcoran and James Porte

* Percussion by Paulinho da Costa

* Rhythm by Paulinho da Costa

* Programming and Finished by Theron "Neff-U" Feemster

Release history



See also



* List of unreleased Michael Jackson material

* Death of Michael Jackson

* List of works published posthumously

References



Category:2011 singles

Category:Michael Jackson songs

Category:Songs written by Michael Jackson

Category:Song recordings produced by Michael Jackson

Category:Song recordings produced by Theron Feemster

Category:Songs released posthumously

Category:Pop ballads

Category:Contemporary R&B ballads

Category:2004 songs

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